Machine-human interface

Abstract

One embodiment of a machine-human interface apparatus comprises a first device adapted to be substantially fixedly mounted relative to a portion of a first hand of a user, and a second device adapted to be substantially fixedly mounted relative to a portion of a digit of the other hand of the user, at least one of the devices comprising a transducer operable to generate a signal representative of the relative position or movement of the devices.

1 . Machine-human interface apparatus comprising: 
 a first device adapted to be substantially fixedly mounted relative to a portion of a first hand of a user; and    a second device adapted to be substantially fixedly mounted relative to a portion of a digit of the other hand of the user, at least one of the devices comprising a transducer operable to generate a signal representative of the relative position or movement of the devices.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first input device is adapted to be substantially fixedly mounted relative to a portion of a digit of the first hand of a user.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first input device further comprises an infra-red emitter operable to generate an infra-red beam for emission over a portion of the palm of the first hand of the user.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is operable to generate any one of either a short-range radio frequency signal, an infra-red signal, or an ultrasound signal.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second devices are inductively coupled.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the signal is used to control an input function of an external device.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus for inputting data to a remote device comprising first and second wirelessly coupled input devices, the first device adapted to be substantially fixedly supported relative to a first hand of a user, the second device adapted to be substantially fixedly supported relative to a portion of a digit of the other hand of a user, wherein at least one of the devices comprises a sensor operable to generate a signal representing a relative position of the devices.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the devices are wirelessly coupled using any one a short-range radio frequency protocol connection, infra-red, fast infra-red, or ultrasound wireless connection.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed  claim 7 , wherein the first and second devices are inductively coupled such that either of the first or second input devices is operable to inductively draw power from the other input device.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each device is wirelessly coupled to the remote device.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the remote device is any of a computer, PDA, mobile telephone, pager, or any hybrid device of the above operable to use the signal for input purposes.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first device is adapted to be worn on the proximal phalanx of a finger of the first hand of the user, and the second device is adapted to be worn on the distal phalanx of a finger of the other hand of the user.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the second device includes a motion detector adapted to generate motion data representative of a movement of the second device.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the second device includes an image capture device adapted to generate image data representing an image captured from a standpoint of the second device.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the image data represents an image of at least a portion of the palm of the first hand of a user of the apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the image data is used to generate position data representing a position of the second device with respect to the palm of the first hand of a user, the position data used to generate data representing the position of the first device with respect to the second device.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the motion data is transmitted from the second device to the first device using the wireless connection.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first device further comprises a processor adapted to determine a relative position of the second device to the first device on the basis of the received motion data.  
   
   
       19 . A device suitable for being substantially fixedly supported relative to a portion of a hand of a user, the device suitable for use in accordance with the apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 .  
   
   
       20 . A method of inputting data to a remote device using two input devices, each device substantially fixedly supported relative to a portion of a respective hand of a user, the method comprising: 
 generating movement data in at least one of the devices representing a position or movement of one device with respect to the other device;    comparing the generated movement data with stored data representative of relative movements of the devices, the stored data corresponding to respective characters to be input to the remote device, or of respective functions for controlling the remote device; and    inputting data to the remote device on the basis of the comparison of the generated data to the stored data.    
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the data input to the remote device is either data representing a character to be input to the remote device, or is data relating to a function of the remote device, the input data thereby causing the remote device to execute or otherwise prepare for execution of the said function of the device.  
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the stored data is in the form a at least one hidden Markov model, and comparing the generated movement data comprises selecting a model with the highest probability of representing a movement of the devices, and generating data representing data for input on the basis of the selected model.  
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the remote device is any of a computer, PDA, mobile telephone, pager, or any hybrid device of the above, wherein inputting data to the device is effected using a wireless communications protocol.